'Ohana Health Plan Honored Case Managers for Dedication to Providing Outstanding Services

KAPOLEI, Hawaii and TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Ohana Health Plan, a WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) company, recently recognized 24 community care services (CCS) case managers for providing exemplary care during its "CCS Provider Appreciation and Case Manager Awards Luncheon."

Through the state's Department of Human Services' QUEST Integration program, CCS assigns these case managers to facilitate the delivery of behavioral and medical health services to approximately 5,200 Medicaid-eligible adults who have severe mental illness and are enrolled in the initiative. 'Ohana Health Plan has been the sole provider of CCS services since 2013.

CCS case managers meet face-to-face with members to assess their health, plan their care program, and monitor their progress towards reaching their behavioral health goals. To help 'Ohana Health Plan members receive the right care, in the best setting, case managers often meet members at the locations most convenient for them including parks and beaches.

Because each member's needs are unique, the case managers must tailor their approaches to provide the care and support they need. For example, one CCS member struggled with managing her bladder control issues, taking her medications consistently, eating an unbalanced diet and keeping her home tidy, all of which greatly impacted her wellbeing. To help her maintain her housing and improve her quality of life, honoree case manager, Jennifer Ing, worked with the member to develop a plan that included time management goals for chores and therapy. Today the member has had her housing contract extended, she has lost weight and continues to make progress managing her health.

In addition, the CCS case managers help members access vital social services that they need in order to develop and maintain good health. This includes establishing routine care with behavioral health providers, housing, employment, transportation and helping them apply for benefits like food stamps.

The honorees, who were nominated by their case management agencies, were:

• Ian Arruda, Care Hawaii, Hawaii
• Oscar Balayan, Susannah Wesley, Oahu
• Dennis Brody, Care Hawaii, Hawaii
• Jayde Bumanglag, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Oahu
• Elizabeth Carroll, West Hawaii Community Mental Health Center, Hawaii
• Jaimie Casino-Lim, Hope Inc., Oahu
• Melissa Giron-Bauer, Kalihi Palama Health Center, Oahu
• Roxanna Hamaku, Mental Health Kokua, Maui
• Jennifer Ing, Windward TSS, Ko'olau
• Tayshea "T" Kaleimamahu, Hina Mauka, Oahu
• Karoline Kama Tam, North Shore Mental Health, Oahu
• Uoanani "Nani" Kam, Care Hawaii, Oahu
• Kalei "Rachael" Ke, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Mental Health Center, Oahu
• Fa'ata'ape "Ape" Lavatai, Hope Inc., Hawaii
• Claire Lee, East Honolulu Treatment Service Section, Oahu
• Kristy Lungo, Mental Health Kokua, Hawaii
• Roxanne Martir, Mental Health Kokua, Oahu
• Levin Matsukawa, Windward Treatment Service Section, Oahu
• Jani Nakao-Otaka, Central-Leeward Oahu Treatment Service Section, Oahu
• Cliff Ostrover, Aloha House, Maui
• Bobby Rodgers, Community Empowerment Resources, Oahu
• Judy Szpak, Helping Hands Hawaii, Oahu
• Tara Tina, Mental Health Kokua, Hawaii
• Chelsie Wang, Institute of Human Services, Oahu

"At 'Ohana Health Plan, we're committed to connecting our members to quality services in order to promote better health outcomes," said Dr. Edward Fess, senior medical director at 'Ohana Health Plan. "This would not be possible without the support of these extraordinary case managers who work hard every day to ensure these vulnerable members receive the vital care they need, when they need it most."

The "CCS Provider Appreciation and Case Manager Awards Luncheon" was held on Friday, Nov. 3, 2017 from 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Hawaii Okinawa Center located at 94-587 Ukee Street, Waipahu, HI 96797.

About 'Ohana Health Plan

'Ohana Health Plan has more than 250 employees in Hawaii and serves approximately 53,000 members through its offices in Kapolei, Honolulu, Hilo and Kahului. 'Ohana Health Plan has been able to take WellCare's national experience and develop an 'Ohana Health Plan care model that addresses local members' health care and health coordination needs. As of Sept. 30, 2017, 'Ohana Health Plan serves approximately 47,000 Medicaid members, 5,000 Medicare Advantage members, and 1,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) members in Hawaii. For more information about 'Ohana Health Plan, please visit the company's website at www.ohanahealthplan.com.

About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. The company serves approximately 4.3 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2017. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.

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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.